Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1887-07-12

status in 1861 and asserts that he never was
q disunionist, bnt that the Northern Sena-
tors rejected at that time every proposition
that promised paciiication. He refers to B.
+. Buffers voting for him tfty-seven times
at Charleston in 1850 as candidate OF the
democratic party for President to prevent
disunion, and declares that he did not desire
to he President OF the Confederacy, bnt took
prompt, and, as ne thought, adequate
means to prevent it," After his election
and Inauguration, at Montgomery, all his
efforts were directed toward securing for the
seeding States peaceful separation, though
he never thought of going back into the
Union TO escape last resort 10 the abitra.
ment of arms
Mr. Davis discussed his experiences ss
Secretary OF War in Mr.. Pierces cabinet
and as United States Senator from Mssisip-
pi; his career as President Of the Southern
Confederacy, and is eloquent III his praise of
Generals Albert Sidney Johnston, Lee
Jackson and A. ?. Hill He said A. s
Johnston had no peer on either side during
the war. if he ever had in American history,
and his loss TO the Confederacy WAS irrepar-
able Lee was his associate and friend at
West Point. with Lecnidas Polk and James
3. Magruder, and there never was aught
but harmony among them
Speaking OF the seven days hattits around
Richmond, Mr. Davis says Gen. Lee con
ceived and executed: the desperate plan 10
turn the flank and rear Of McClellan's army,
and added that the failure TO annihilaie tne
federal army was due chiefly to The fact
that Gen. Lee had no maps OF the country
below Richmond, and that his army moved
in ignorance of the country and with guides
for Z bn -alt
utterly inefficient. He says that Gen. Lees
object in the retreat from Petersburg in the
last DAYS of the war was to reach DaBvlle,
and then unite with Gen. Johnston, and
crush Sherman before Grant could join him.
He declares that Mcclellan and Meade
were the two best federal Generals, and if
the former had been permitted 20 carry ont
his campaign against Richmond as he had
planned il, and had received the hearty
support of the federal War Department, it
wouG have resulted disastrousy to the
Confe,lerates.
Speaking of Stonewall Jackson, he said
that nobody expected that this quiet profes-
sor, when he left the Virginia Military In
stitute. would have au opportunity TO show
the great qualities he possessed and become
the great hero of the war. Had he not
fallen at Charlottesville, Mr.. Davis says,
the Federal Army of the Potomac would
have disappeared into history under Cir
cumstances far different from those which
marked its dissolution two years later. He
says OF Gen. A. T. Hill, that no trler, more
devoted, self.4acrlicing soldier ever lived.
MIR Davis and his family are warm in
their praise of the late John W. Garrett,
and confirmed Mr. Garrett's statement,
made before his death, of how he secured
Mr.. DaVis's release from imprisonment at
Fortress Monroe.
Mr.. Garrett said that OH one occasion MIR.
RUSSELL lawyer of Wheeling, W. Va,
came to his Office at Camden Station with a
lady heavily yelled, who proved 10 be Mrs.
Jefferson Davis Mrs Davis told Mr.. Gar
rett that she had just arrived from Fortress
Monroe, where her husband was closely
coniined in a casemate, and that unless he
was released he would die. She said she
was informed that Mr. Garrett had great
influence with Mr. Stanton, and she wished
him to SEQ him for her She desired Mr..
Garrett to go to Washington with her, but
Mr.. Garrett replied: mo; you had better
remain here until go first" She promised
10 do as requested, and remained with the
late John S. Cuttings.
Mr. Garrett went to Washington and saw
Mr.. Mccullough, and they decided to lay
the matter before the Attorney. General, MIR.
Stansbury Mr. Mccullough narrated the
nature Of their BUSINESS. and Mr.. Straus
bury replied that he could see now no OBJ.
lection 20 tho plan proposed. Then Mr..
Garrett, contrary TO the advice OF his asso-
cates, said he would go and see Secretary
Stanton, who was at home sick, and it was
said could not be seen by any one. He told
the two gentlemen to wait for his returR
as he intended TO SEQ Stanton, who they said
would be furious at the mention of Davis's
name. Mr. Garrett drove to Stanton's
house, sent up his card, and was admitted.
He found the War Secretary lying on
lounge too i'll to rise up to greet him.
Mr. Garrett stated his business, wnen
Stanton grew furious. He told Mr.. STAN
ton tnat two OF the Cabinet officers were
willing FOR the release of NJ. Davis upon his
executing a sufficient bond, and President
Lincoln was waiting to receive the order
from his War Secretary before executing it.
Mr.. Garrett pleaded for Mr.. Davis, whom
he regarded as dying man, and said the
country would applaud his act.
Finally Mr.. Stanton agreed that he would
not raise any objections if the Attorney
General arranged for the release of Mr..
Davis. Mr. Garrett went back to his wait
ing associates. who were astOnished at his
success The preliminaries were arranged,
and in two or three days Mr.. Davis was re-
leased.
Mr.. Davis says he has no wish 10 enter
public life but is deeply solicitous for the
welfare and prosperity of the whole country.
and says the only disturbing elements to be
discerned now are the efforts of the ex-
tremists OF the North TO keep alive for poll
tical purposes the animosities and hatreds
of the past lie says ne thinks the time
has come when reason should be substituted
for passion, and when men who have fought
in support oftheir honest convictions should
be able and willing to Go justice to each
other.
Is There Cure for Consumption:
We answer unre=ervedly, yes If the pa
tent commences in time the use of Dr..
Pierce's Golden Medical Discovery" and
fana To- H..